Everything Everywhere Daily: Sherman’s March to the Sea (Encore) – Detailed Summary
Introduction
In the encore episode titled "Sherman’s March to the Sea," host Gary Arndt delves into one of the most controversial and strategically significant campaigns of the U.S. Civil War. Released on April 24, 2025, this episode explores General William Tecumseh Sherman’s audacious plan to march his Union army from Atlanta to Savannah, effectively altering the course of the war through tactics that challenged traditional warfare norms.
Background: The Civil War in 1864
At the outset of 1864, the outcome of the Civil War was far from certain. The Union’s ability to secure victory was a pivotal issue in the presidential election, with significant focus on the war’s progress in the eastern theater, particularly around Virginia. However, substantial military actions were unfolding in the western theater, where General Sherman emerged as a key Union commander.
The Capture of Atlanta
In May 1864, Sherman departed from Union-occupied Tennessee, advancing into northwest Georgia. Over three months, he engaged and defeated Confederate generals Joseph Johnson and John Bell Hood in a series of battles. By July 22, Sherman’s forces laid siege to Atlanta, a crucial Confederate transportation and manufacturing hub with a population of approximately 10,000. Notably, Atlanta was not strategically located along a river or coast but was a major railroad junction, integral for Confederate logistics.
After cutting off the city’s supply lines, the Confederate Army abandoned Atlanta on September 2, destroying 81 boxcars of munitions in the process. Sherman then ordered the civilian population to evacuate on September 7, highlighting the significant impact of his campaign on both military and civilian infrastructure.
Sherman’s Strategic Dilemma and Plan
With Atlanta secured, Sherman faced a critical decision: continue to consolidate his position in Atlanta or undertake a bold maneuver to cripple the Confederacy further. His objective was clear—to make it logistically impossible for the Confederacy to sustain its war efforts. However, maintaining his army in Atlanta posed logistical challenges, as Confederate raiders relentlessly attacked his supply lines.
Sherman devised a plan to march his army southeast to the coastal city of Savannah, 225 miles away, effectively cutting a wide swath across Georgia and disrupting Confederate supply and communication networks. This strategy, while risky, aimed to apply relentless pressure on the Confederate war effort by spreading Union forces deep into enemy territory.
"One of the most audacious military plans in history" (04:05)
Sherman described his plan as "one of the most audacious military plans in history," emphasizing its departure from traditional military doctrines. By dividing his army into two large groups—60,000 men under General George Thomas to occupy Confederate forces in Memphis, and 62,000 men marching to Savannah—Sherman aimed to create a devastating impact on the Confederate infrastructure and morale.
Implementation: The March to the Sea
On November 8, after President Lincoln’s re-election, Sherman initiated his plan by ordering the separation of his troops and dispatching 2,500 wagons filled with supplies. By November 15, Sherman had set fire to Atlanta’s commercial and industrial buildings before embarking on his march. He recounted:
"We stood upon the very ground whereon was fought the bloody battle of July 22, and could see the corpse of wood where McPherson fell. Behind us lay Atlanta, smoldering and in ruins, the black smoke rising high in the air and hanging like a pall over the ruined city." (00:XX)
Sherman’s forces moved in a wide, parallel path, likened to a "plague of gun-toting locusts" spreading 50 miles wide across Georgia’s countryside. Despite facing limited and disorganized Confederate resistance, including the Battle of Griswoldville on November 22—where Union forces secured a lopsided victory (00:XX)—Sherman's march proceeded with relentless momentum.
Foraging and Destruction: The Tactics of Total War
Sherman adopted a “total war” approach, targeting not only military assets but also civilian resources to undermine the Confederate war effort. As supplies dwindled after 20 days, foragers were deployed to confiscate food, livestock, and other essentials from local farms. This strategy served the dual purpose of sustaining Union troops and eroding civilian support for the Confederacy.
Key tactics included:
-
Foraging: Raiding farmhouses to seize cattle, chickens, pigs, bread, and potatoes. Resistance led to the burning of farmhouses and barns.
-
Destruction of Railroads: Guerrilla tactics were employed to destroy Confederate railways beyond simple dismantling. Sherman’s troops created "Sherman neckties" by heating and twisting rails around trees, rendering them unusable and permanently disrupting Confederate transportation networks.
"If anyone resisted, their farmhouses and barns were burned to the ground." (00:XX)
Key Battles and Encounters
Throughout the march, Sherman's forces encountered sporadic Confederate resistance. The Battle of Griswoldville exemplified the strategic disparities, where Union troops suffered minimal casualties while inflicting significant losses on Confederate forces:
"They fought a small battle known as the battle of Griswoldville on November 22, and it was a lopsided victory for the Union, who lost only 62 men to the Confederate 650." (00:XX)
Civilian resistance was minimal, often stemming from individual farmers rather than organized military units, as Confederate efforts to impede Sherman's progress proved largely ineffective.
Strategic Impact and Outcomes
Sherman’s march culminated in the capture of Savannah on December 10, 1864, after 225 miles of grueling advance. The city’s surrender on December 21 included significant material gains for the Union, such as 25,000 bales of cotton. Sherman’s ability to sustain his army through foraging and destruction ensured minimal reliance on traditional supply lines, a testament to his logistical prowess.
The march severely disrupted Confederate supply lines and communications, dealt a substantial blow to Confederate morale, and contributed to the eventual surrender of Robert E. Lee’s forces in April 1865.
"Total War" and Ethical Considerations
Sherman's tactics are often regarded as an early implementation of "total war," where the distinction between military and civilian targets was blurred. This approach aimed to not only defeat enemy forces but also to undermine the societal structures supporting them.
Notably, Sherman's march had profound humanitarian implications:
-
Emancipation of Slaves: Approximately 10,000 freed slaves joined Sherman’s army, leveraging the march as a path to freedom.
-
Casualties Among Freedmen: On December 8, 1864, several hundred freedmen drowned attempting to cross Ebenezer Creek amid Confederate and Union hostilities, highlighting the tragic human cost of the campaign.
From a modern perspective, Sherman's actions would violate the 1977 Geneva Convention, which prohibits the targeting of civilian resources. Nonetheless, within the context of the Civil War, his strategies were deemed militarily effective, albeit ethically contentious.
Conclusion: Legacy of Sherman’s March
Sherman’s March to the Sea remains a subject of intense historical debate, embodying the complexities of military strategy, ethical warfare, and their lasting impacts on society. While contemporaries and subsequent generations in the South viewed Sherman with disdain for his ruthless tactics, military historians often commend the march for its decisive role in hastening the end of the Civil War.
As Gary Arndt concludes in the episode, Sherman’s legacy is a blend of military genius and moral ambiguity, encapsulating the profound and often painful transformations that accompany wartime strategies.
Notable Quotes
-
"One of the most audacious military plans in history." – General William Tecumseh Sherman (04:05)
-
"We stood upon the very ground whereon was fought the bloody battle of July 22, and could see the corpse of wood where McPherson fell..." – General Sherman, in his memoirs (00:XX)
-
"If anyone resisted, their farmhouses and barns were burned to the ground." – Host, describing Sherman's tactics (00:XX)
-
"To sustain it, we must war upon and destroy the organized rebel forces..." – Officer from Sherman’s personal bodyguard (00:XX)
Final Thoughts
Sherman’s March to the Sea epitomizes the drastic measures sometimes employed in warfare to achieve strategic objectives. This episode of Everything Everywhere Daily offers a comprehensive exploration of both the tactical brilliance and the moral controversies surrounding Sherman’s campaign, providing listeners with a nuanced understanding of its place in American history.